An inconsolable Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam hugged Prime Minister Narendra Modi emotionally on a couple of occasions as the latter approached the casket containing Jayalalithaa's body to pay his last respects.
The atmosphere was surcharged as Modi walked into Rajaji Hall, where the AIADMK supremo's body is lying in state.
As he walked towards Panneerselvam after placing a wreath near the body, the latter broke down and hugged him. Modi affectionately patted him, suggesting that he be strong.
As Modi walked back to his vehicle, Panneerselvam again hugged him with tears in his eyes.
Earlier, the Prime Minister consoled Jayalalithaa's close confidante Sasikala, who was crying.
Even at that time, Panneerselvam again broke down and the Prime Minister hugged him, asking him to control his emotions.
A huge posse of security personnel, including black cat commandos, were on alert as the Prime Minister passed through the huge crowd that had converged at the Rajaji Hall.
Modi was also seen requesting people not to take photos on their mobile phones as he greeted them with folded hands.
A trusted lieutenant and staunch loyalist of Jayalalithaa, Panneerselvam, who became the chief minister of Tamil Nadu for the third time, faces the challenge of keeping the AIADMK together as it tries to reinvent itself without the charismatic party supremo.
A tea vendor-turned-politician, 65-year-old Panneerselvam, popularly known as OPS, was late Jayalalithaa's Man Friday and twice helmed the state after she was convicted in graft cases.
